Surprised by all 3 of the new teams being where they are. For SMU it is a jump in quality and physicality from where they were yet they will be 7th? For all three it is a difference in style vs where they were. For Cal and Stanford, they will have added travel which wears you down.
I wouldn't want Cal's schedule. They have to travel across the country to play Auburn, then a trap game vs San Diego State before traveling all the way back across the country to play FSU. They get a week break but then have Miami. Then back East to play Pitt, and home for NC State. Not sure what Oregon State will be like this year but that ain't easy for the next game. Then they get a bye before going to Wake. By the time they host SU, not sure what they have left in the tank. And after SU they have rivals Stanford and then a trip to Dallas for SMU. If they end up 12th it will be an accomplishment.
Stanford stunk last year but I thought their coach showed promise. I don't think they will be the worst ACC team quality wise. But again look at that schedule. Only 6 home games. OOC vs TCU and at Notre Dame. With all that travel having a week 3 bye is a killer, and then week 11 for the 2nd bye. They follow the first bye with 2 trips in a row East to play SU and Clemson, get VA Tech at home, and then to South Bend. Just not fair.
SMU has a hard OOC schedule playing at Nevada (although they stunk last year), BYU, and TCU. That being said they have an easy ACC schedule after the first two games (FSU, at Louisville). None of those other teams are all that great. BTW how is it possible for the ACC to schedule 3 conference road games in a row? That could be a factor that helps Pitt and BC who are physical teams. SMU might be spent by then.
